A woman received a call from supposed intelligence services claiming that money in her account had been moved to a listed extremist organization. To block the transfer, she was urged to withdraw all funds, take out a loan, and deposit the entire sum into a so-called safe account. While moving between banks, she was struck by a car and ended up in hospital with a bag of cash. Yet the callers persisted, first posing as security officials, then as a bank representative, sending a courier to collect the money directly from the hospital. She handed it over willingly. No violence was used, no assault occurred. Reporters noted an ongoing fraud investigation was opened.
This is not a page from a comedy sketch or a spoof TV segment. It is real news. This week’s update. While authorities verify the facts, a quick cybersecurity lesson follows.
There is a risk of missing information. Vishing is a form of phone-based fraud. Most people recognize phishing from unsolicited emails, but vishing relies on voice calls. Texts or apps that request money or provide a link to download malware can also be used, but retirees often rely on phones and instant messaging more than email. They are a prime target: retirees tend to be cautious yet hold steady savings, and their credit histories can make them seem like safe loan candidates with small monthly payments.
Where there is money, scammers will surface—sometimes through illegal means. The exact location of call centers is less important than recognizing the pattern: suspicious calls designed to trigger fear or urgency where no legitimate reason exists.
Daily reports show that even people with solid general knowledge of cybersecurity answer calls from unfamiliar numbers, believing they are contacting law enforcement or a central bank, and then withdraw funds or transfer them to strangers.
Several simple rules can help. Share them with friends and especially older relatives.
First, do not reply to or act on calls claiming to be from law enforcement. If the government needs someone, officials will issue a formal summons or notice through official government channels. A real investigator will not demand action over the phone, and a caller who claims to be from authorities should be treated as suspicious.
Second, banks do not call about urgent matters that require actions on an account. If there is a problem, account access will be blocked and visible in the banking app. A bank may offer a loan, but adults decide their own needs and timing. If there is no immediate need for a loan, there is nothing to discuss.
Third, there is no direct call from the central bank to ordinary citizens. If someone claims to be from the central bank, hang up—there is no reason for such outreach.
Fourth, consider installing a trusted call-blocking or caller-identity app. These tools help identify numbers with a history of fraud or misrepresentation. Sometimes legitimate calls come from unknown numbers—for deliveries or service people—but a reliable app can flag high-risk sources.
Fifth, protect yourself and loved ones. Fraudsters rely on fear and urgency to push people into risky decisions. In a given year, a large sum can be lost to scams, and the exact figures may be higher than reported. The goal is to avoid becoming a statistic by staying vigilant.
The discussion here reflects a cautious perspective on the dangers of vishing and the best practices to reduce risk. It emphasizes practical steps that individuals can take to safeguard their money and personal information.